Without needing Pierce to continue, Nick Fury asked directly:
"So, it looks like SHIELD has to take the blame again, doesn't it?"
Pierce was at a loss for words after Nick Fury ordered him back. He paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Unfortunately, yes."
Nick Fury: "…"
Struggling to resist the urge to curse in front of his former superior, Nick Fury began thinking of a countermeasure.
The Korean president had been assassinated yesterday — the first time in a long while. Naturally, such an event would come as a shock.
It could have been explained by saying SHIELD never expected the criminals to be so bold.
But today? The President of the United States was killed inside the White House — and over a verbal argument at that!
What explanation could SHIELD possibly offer? This wasn't something that could be covered up. It was likely the entire world knew by now.
Nick Fury lowered his head and looked at the Avengers Initiative laid out on the table. Suddenly, a bold idea popped into his mind.
If everyone else could shift the blame, then why couldn't SHIELD do the same?
"Bang!"
He slammed the Avengers plan hard on the table and declared firmly:
"We must activate the Avengers Initiative! Gather more superhumans to face the growing threats! Otherwise, the enemy will continue their arrogance! This is the Security Council's fault! If they had approved my plan earlier, the enemy would have never succeeded in assassinating the President!"
For the first time, Pierce—who had always opposed Nick Fury—didn't object to his words.
SHIELD couldn't afford to take the blame for this incident. The responsibility had to be shifted elsewhere.
Truthfully, Pierce was afraid too.
Before that damned Kryptonian, all beings under the atmosphere were equal.
Not just the President of the United States—even Pierce himself.
He recalled the last time he faced Hydra's Isaac LeClerc, and a shiver ran down his spine just thinking about the way death loomed.
"Utterly terrifying..."
"I'll do everything in my power to support this plan! We can't let the Celestial Dome continue its arrogance unchecked! This is the Security Council's ultimate objective—and it's mine as well!"Pierce said seriously.
"Absolutely."Nick Fury nodded in agreement.
Sokovia
In a rented home in Sokovia...
Suddenly, Pietro shouted:
"Sis! Come look! Big news!"
The Scarlet Witch, Wanda, was showering when she heard her brother's yelling. She groaned:
"If you've got something to say, spit it out already. I'm drying my hair!"
"The Lord of the Celestial Dome did something incredible again! Really incredible!"Pietro said excitedly.
When she heard the name of the Celestial Dome's master, Wanda rushed out in excitement, ignoring her wet hair:
"What happened? Tell me!"
Pietro pointed excitedly at the wanted poster on the wall and said:
"He sent his men to assassinate the President of America!"
Wanda gasped in delight:
"That's amazing! I wish he'd kill that bastard Tony Stark next!"
The twin siblings, born in Sokovia, held no goodwill toward America. In their eyes, the country was at least partially responsible for the chaos in their homeland.
Looking at his admiring sister, Pietro sighed:
"You silly girl, stop fangirling. The Lord of the Celestial Dome is a big deal. There's no way he'd be interested in you."
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Wanda exploded instantly:
"Can't I admire him? Can't I be one of his fans?!"
Ignoring her anger, Pietro suddenly asked:
"Wanda, tell me... If that man truly builds a new world order, do you think our country will finally see peace?"
Wanda fell into a deep silence.
War still ravaged Sokovia, so both siblings longed for peace—at least in their hometown.
Wanda hesitated and then said:
"Do you really think it's possible? He's so powerful… so awe-inspiring..."
"I truly hope he rules over Sokovia one day. Then maybe we can go shopping freely, just like people in the rest of the world."Pietro muttered.
"Yes... This country needs a new system."Wanda nodded slowly.
Eastern Europe Base
Isaac LeClerc looked at Faora, who had just returned, and asked with a smile:
"So? How was it? Did you witness the strength of that nation?"
"I still don't understand what you're afraid of. Killing the president of any country is no different than crushing an ant to me."Faora replied with disdain, stretching out her arms.
It was clear that the so-called strongest nation in the world had disappointed her. If this was their best, what hope was there for the rest?
Isaac chuckled and reassured her:
"Just wait a few more years... until that old hag retires—or until we unlock the secret of the soul. Once we do..."
A good hunter knows how to wait for the right moment.
As someone who had lived—and died—once before, Isaac valued his life far more now.
If you're not absolutely confident in your ability to rule the world, you're more likely to end up as a stepping stone for superheroes chasing glory.
In this world teeming with villains and heroes, many dream of ruling it all. To succeed, one must be patient.
Isaac continued:
"Ivan Vanko has already begun his move. I expect the first shot to be fired at dawn. I'll need you tomorrow."
Faora replied firmly:
"Your orders are my command!"
In the Multiverse Chatroom
[Human Torch]:"This is insane! The villains in your world are terrifying! They killed the President and offered him as a sacrifice to the gods over an argument! That's wild!"
[Obama]:"Human Torch, do you have something to say about me too?"
[Susan]:"Johnny, shut up! He saved your life! Without him, you'd be dead by now!"
[Mister Fantastic]:"Susan, how could you say that? You can't just assume the criminal is right because he saved your brother! That was the President! An assassination like that is a serious crime!"
Richard was deeply upset to see Susan defending Isaac LeClerc.
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Speedrun tomorrow.Expect lots of chapters!
Throw some stones at me, please! (Not a masochist, I swear!)